Search form

Search form

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine are studying how massaging the fascia tissue improves movement in children with cerebral palsy. The technique, known as rolfing after the doctor who popularized it in the 1970s, is believed to relax muscles and joints and improve movement. "This is not a cure," Karen Price, who performs the fascia-massage sessions, said. "This is giving kids the best use of what they have."

Related Summaries

Among the 1 in 323 8-year-olds diagnosed with cerebral palsy, almost 7% received an autism diagnosis, according to a CDC study in the journal Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Researchers found that rates of cerebral palsy were higher in boys than girls and were higher in blacks than in whites or Hispanics. Although the link between cerebral palsy and autism is not clear, the conditions may share risk factors, researchers said.

Eight Ohio school districts are participating in a state pilot program that aims to judge effectiveness of early-reading interventions in curbing future special education referrals. Funded by the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children, educators in participating districts will provide three tiers of instruction to struggling students.

Samsung engineers have developed a do-it-yourself eye-tracking kit to help individuals with neuromuscular syndromes communicate. The kit, called eyeCan, includes a pair of glasses, a webcam, infrared LEDs, copper wires and software and is expected to cost about $100, as opposed to the $10,000 price tag of current eye-tracking devices. Not yet ready for commercial use, the DIY device still has issues, such as interference with the camera from too much sunlight in the room.

Connecticut designer Kelley Schutte began modifying homes for children with disabilities and the elderly after redesigning her own home for her son who has cerebral palsy. Some of her ideas include a cabinet with a pullout seat, cork floors for people prone to falling and a closet with rails that can be lowered so people in wheelchairs can reach their contents.

Physical therapy is credited for the progress of an 11-year-old New Jersey boy born with cerebral palsy. Frank Infantino's activities include bike-riding and school athletics. His physical therapists point to early intervention -- Frank's therapy started at age 3.